But succulents like agave and aloe can do way more than just sit there and look great. In fact, they are a pretty powerful and versatile group of plants. For starters, succulents have special water-storing tissues that allow them to stay alive for long periods of time without water and survive weirdly diverse—anywhere from desert to alpine—habitats. Throughout history succulents have been used to make anything from soap to paper and they are absolutely packed with healing properties. Agave juice is rich in isoflavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamins B, C, D, and K. But before you go adding it to every recipe, you should know that too much agave can cause digestive upset, and pregnant women should avoid it. Yucca is also rich in vitamins A, B, and C and is a good source of copper, calcium, manganese, potassium, and fiber—making it a potent health food and another succulent that seems to do it all. Apparently, prickly pear is a popular hangover treatment in Mexico, and this specific use has actually been supported by research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study found that participants who drank prickly pear before consuming alcoholic beverages had significantly less nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite the following day—probably due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Other traditions use it as a treatment for diarrhea, asthma, high blood pressure, and gastric acidity, but they have not been supported by research. There’s no doubt about it: Succulents are special. People have known it for thousands of years, and you can tell just by looking at them. A symbol of resilience, adaptation, and protection, they bring a powerful energy into your home and some healing to your life.
